Business Development and Communications Manager

Laterite is a data, research, and analytics firm specializing in complex development challenges. We work with universities, global think tanks, international NGOs, multilateral donor organizations, and government ministries and agencies. Laterite has offices in the Netherlands, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Peru. The team brings together more than 90 full-time local and international staff, as well as 2,000+ enumerators across all countries.

We are looking for a hands-on Business Development and Communications Manager to coordinate the BDC team. The BDC team leads and supports Laterite’s business development processes including scoping for new opportunities, proposal development and support for local outreach activities led by the different offices. The team is also responsible for developing and implementing Laterite’s communications strategy, and for maintaining and updating the knowledge base.

What you will do:

Leadership & strategy:

• Lead on all BDC tasks and mentor the BDC Analysts & Associates, and coordinate day-to-day BDC activities
• Develop and implement business development and communications strategies that align with organizational goals and build on each other.

Business development:

• Develop a deep understanding of the client landscape in the development research sector across our operating countries.
• Coordinate outreach and business development activities at country-level in partnership with country offices.
• Manage the Laterite’s proposal pipeline from strategy to delivery, and work with the Research Team to prepare strong bids and grant applications.

Communications:

• Oversee and enhance Laterite’s website and social media presence to amplify the organization’s voice and impact.
• Work with the wider Laterite team to source and develop new content to showcase Laterite’s work and impact (e.g., blogs, publications).
• Improve how Laterite communicates its findings by exploring and implementing interactive and engaging methods of presenting data.

Knowledge management:

• Maintain, improve, and expand Laterite’s knowledge base, ensuring it supports internal learning and operational efficiency.

What you bring:

Our ideal candidate is a natural communicator and relationship builder, with experience in the development sector, for example a research firm, an NGO, a consultancy. They are organized, self-motivated, with excellent attention to detail and a drive to get things done, while working in a collaborative environment.

Our future colleague has:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience working in a similar setting.
• Excellent oral and written communications in English.
• Experience in leading and mentoring delivery teams.
• Experience with managing proposal pipelines according to funder and donor procurement rules (including private funders as well as multilaterals and donors such as the World Bank, USAID, FCDO, among others).
• Experience with Communications, especially strategic communications activities geared towards business development and outreach. Experience with writing blogs, and creating engaging content is welcome.
• Experience with knowledge management solutions (ideally Confluence).
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, self-motivation and drive to flourish in a fast-paced environment, where timelines can often be unpredictable.

In addition, we are looking for:

• A strong understanding of, and/or interest in, social and economic research in development contexts, particularly in the areas of agriculture, education, public health, livelihoods, and gender.